New research published in the journal Plant Cell and Physiology highlights that a moderated amount of ethanol could help plants sustain without water for a longer period. The scientists found that ethanol increased the survival rate of plants for as long as two weeks without water, which would be crucial during droughts.
The research published in the Oxford Academic suggests that climate resilient technologies to tackle the impacts of droughts on the agricultural sector are critical for “ensuring a sustainable food supply.” The researchers state that these findings are not just valuable for home gardens but also for major staple crops like rice and wheat.
The researchers assessed the two groups of wheat and rice plants and watered them regularly. Researchers added a measured amount of ethanol to one of the groups along with the water and then stopped watering all the plants after three days. After depriving both groups of water for two weeks, they discovered that the intoxicated plants grew better than the sober ones. Around 75% of the ethanol-treated wheat and rice plants survived after rewatering, while less than 5% of the sober plants managed to survive.
Many parts of the world are facing droughts, and the risk of food security is rising across the globe. The study suggests that drought-proofing staple crops could help in combating the rising climate crisis.
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Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
